Chief Fire Officer Designate appointed for new combined Fire Authority

6 March 2015

Following a comprehensive selection process on Thursday 26 February involving Members from both Dorset and Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authorities together with independent specialist advisers, CFO Darran Gunter of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has been appointed as CFO Designate for the new Dorset and Wiltshire FRS and will be the substantive CFO following the establishment of a new combined Service on 1 April 2016.

Cllr Chris Devine, Chairman of Wiltshire & Swindon Combined Fire Authority, and Cllr Rebecca Knox, Chairman of Dorset Fire Authority, said: “Darran will continue working closely with Elected Members on the Joint Committee overseeing the combination, and staff in both Wiltshire and Dorset Fire & Rescue Services to create a new organisation, its vision, and its future strategies and priorities.

“We are very grateful to Simon Routh-Jones, Chief Fire Officer of Wiltshire FRS, who has been instrumental in the combination strategy and we would like to thank him for all he has done in getting the project to this stage. He will continue to work with Darran to support the process to its conclusion.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Darran, Simon and both Fire & Rescue Services to build and develop a new, unified and successful Fire Authority.”

Darran said “Our combination is by far the most complex and challenging change programme that both Services have embarked on. We are determined to protect and where possible strengthen frontline Services and I feel privileged and very proud to work with two such fire and rescue services. I am extremely grateful for the continued support from Simon Routh-Jones of Wiltshire and the professional team of Members and staff from both Services.”